As many of you may have heard, or seen on social media, our much loved fancy dress shop, Fancier Dress is closing its doors after Halloween this year. We caught up with owner, Lucy Moore, to find out what to expect in October.

You’re closing Fancier Dress after 13 years. Was the decision a hard one?

I have loved so much about the shop. The local community have been so supportive, and I’ve gone from costuming pregnant women, to costuming those children for rag week at secondary school. It’s always going to be hard letting go of something like that.

And you’re planning to sell the property, as well as closing Fancier dress?

We’re testing the water with that at the moment. We’ve had a lot of interest, and several viewings – lots of people keen to keep it as a business, from gym to dance studio, juice bar and all sorts.

Of course there have also been many people looking at the potential for residential. It’s such a large plot. The shop front and flat have always rented well, and so it’s possible we may just continue to rent it out. Either way though, Fancier dress will be closing after one final Halloween.

What do you expect Halloween to be like this year?

It’s hard to know how big Halloween will be. Parties aren’t allowed and I doubt trick or treating will be popular with kids going from door to door. However people do want to make these times of year as special as possible for kids, so I think lots of families will be having fun events at home, just as a family.

What are your opening hours going to be?

We’ve decided to stick to appointment only up until the week before Halloween and then will be open Thurs, Fri and Sat that week and the same the actual week of Halloween. As we’ll be closing afterwards, we will be selling off a lot of stock, so it will be a great time to grab a bargain for Christmas presents and stock up ready for when we can all party again!

What are some of your favourite memories from Fancier Dress?

There are so many! Possibly my favourite was when a local vicar hired an Elvis white jumpsuit costume, and brought it back completely covered in red wine. Someone had tripped and spilled it on him during a revue show (allegedly!). Call it divine intervention if you like, but we got every last drop out in the wash!

I also always loved costuming the big groups – all of Alice in Wonderland, or the entire cast of Star Wars for example. They were always good fun. I’ve always enjoyed helping nervous fancy dressers too. When someone comes in hating the whole idea, and leaves with a full outfit, accessories and wig, that’s great!

So what’s next for you?

I’m going to focus on my writing. I have a feature film in development with a company in America, and another I’m writing. As meetings crop up more and more, it has got harder for me to write and be in the shop. It feels like the right time to focus on that full time. Hopefully you’ll get to see something I’ve written on the small screen in your living room or laptop at some point.

I’m really going to miss being a part of Limpsfield Village. It is such a wonderful close knit community. But I feel as though, just like when a child flies the nest, Limpsfield will always feel like my family home.

Thank you to all our customers for all your support over the years. Come and support us one last time in October, and send us out with a bang!

For information on the sale of the property visit: https://limpsfieldproperty.wordpress.com/